Trunk (boot) lid is going to kill me one day

replace the trunk struts... they don't last forever

even part numbers

ahhhh search

Not expensive and not difficult.

Just replaced the two struts (5 minutes & 16$ each) and now have trouble slamming the trunk lid closed.

link to part sales:

msgoodygal said:

Anyone notice how heavy the trunk lid is?

Thanks, you just might be saving my life.

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Recently reminded to a forum member that pig is heavy! I guess you know it for sure too!

Depends if it is a BIG porker or a small porker

what @jbanks15 said above. easy enough to replace, just need a bit of teasing to get the ball joint located (r171) into the new strut mount as the strut is about 5mm too long when not under load. when i did mine, it was obvious which strut was knackered due to the leakage, so only replaced the defective one and saved the 2nd as a spare

Dave2302 said:

Depends if it is a BIG porker or a small porker

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Or whether it goes wee eee wee, all the way home!

Rick_In_Tas said:

Or whether it goes wee eee wee, all the way home!

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Just needs oinkment to prevent the squeal

Avel Du said:

Not expensive and not difficult.

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Thanks. I YouTube'd last night and see it's actually quite simple. Thank you!

BaD_81 said:

Recently reminded to a forum member that pig is heavy! I guess you know it for sure too!

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It REALLY is. I don't know how I managed to not be knocked out or have my head split in two.... I mean, I took full hits twice! My head must be harder than that lid!

BTW, don't buy cheap struts off internet / factors, make sure they are either Stabilus brand (OEM for MB) or the OE MB ones

Dave2302 said:

BTW, don't buy cheap struts off internet / factors, make sure they are either Stabilus brand (OEM for MB) or the OE MB ones

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I've got SGS struts front and rear on both of mine maestro - you get what you pay for and these babies are getting to be expensive

Mercedes SLK Tailgate Struts | Boot Struts | Bonnet Gas Struts (sgs-engineering.com)

I went for the set and the 2 years warranty:
Order date:02 Mar, 2021 Order total:£12.95
I am not saying they will last as MB ones, but they have covered their 2 y warranty and the boot had not caused any extra head-bumps
And yes it is not daily drive!

Dave2302 said:

BTW, don't buy cheap struts off internet / factors, make sure they are either Stabilus brand (OEM for MB) or the OE MB ones

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I bought the set that someone linked to above. Are these good? 170-750-00-36 - Lift Cylinder 1998-2004 Mercedes-Benz | MB Parts Source (mbpartsource.com)

OEM is made by Stabilus, their order number is printed on them I think (146748? Not sure).

Depends on your location but the price is about 10 % of the "original". Mercedes logo is really expensive.

///EDIT: As for mbpartsource.com, I'm not sure. They list it as genuine (which to me means they come in a Mercedes packaging with a Mercedes logo) but I think it is unlikely for this price. Either they are not Mercedes branded or our local Mercedes pricing is really out of whack – they want around 90 USD for a single strut.

rfl said:

OEM is made by Stabilus, their order number is printed on them I think (146748? Not sure).

Depends on your location but the price is about 10 % of the "original". Mercedes logo is really expensive.

///EDIT: As for mbpartsource.com, I'm not sure. They list it as genuine (which to me means they come in a Mercedes packaging with a Mercedes logo) but I think it is unlikely for this price. Either they are not Mercedes branded or our local Mercedes pricing is really out of whack – they want around 90 USD for a single strut.

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That may be a regional issue.
Cheapos were ~ £15 each

Stabilus vs MB was roughly 10-20% difference last time that I bought them.

For educational purposes !!

What we all have to remember before moaning about MB Parts prices is this ...............

OP's car is 25 years old, likely the original Struts, so fit genuine get another 25 years, or fit the chinese junk from internet sales and factors and you'll be lucky if the boot lid doesn't slam on your head the next day, certainly within mere months ...........

The only realistic alternative being save a bit of money, fit the Mercedes Original Equipment Manufacturers part (Stabilus in this instance) and it should be good for at very least 12.5 years ++++

Finally, I've said it before, but for those who don't understand, just because the advert proclaims to be "OEM" doesn't mean it is, at best these companies may well be an "OEM" but "OEM" for what ? Hmmmm, could be absolutely anything, such as cheap plastic paddling pools that leak air first time you blow it up, cheap walking stick rubbers that caused yer poor ol' Grandpa to fall down the stairs ..........

This is why members will often see a reply asking them to price MB first.

There are times when they are cheaper for new than breakers for used!

Always worth checking whose parts MB put their stamp on too.
Why does that stamp cost extra? Partly due to quality control.
Manufacture might test 1 in 1000, and MB 1 in 100.

If you see MB parts (or oem) ridiculously cheap, run away. Unlikely to be true parts.